Potato peels become biodegradable food packaging

Research project will transform agricultural waste into sustainable, biodegradable food packaging. The project aims to reduce dependence on fossil materials and deforestation, as well as increase profitability for farmers and the food industry. Innovation Fund Denmark is investing DKK 14.5 million in the project.

Agricultural waste is to be transformed into compostable packaging for the food and beverage sector. This is the goal of a research project that will replace fossil-based plastics by using locally available natural fibers, such as sugar beet pulp, corn leavesand potato peelings.

The HiProBio project will combine natural fibres with organic binders and barrier coatings to produce viable and compostable closure solutions. This technology will pave the way for future jar and bottle manufacturing and contribute to the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan.

- By transforming agricultural waste into valuable resources, Denmark can become a frontrunner in sustainable packaging and waste reduction, says Giuliano Bissacco, Project Manager and Associate Professor at DTU and continues:

- Our solution dramatically shortens the cradle-to-cradle life cycle by using locally sourced agricultural waste to produce compostable closure products for the food and beverage industry.

Will replace 583 billion bottle caps per year

HiProBio solutions have the potential to replace caps on 583 billion PET bottles annually, potentially saving 1.6 million tons of PET and 2.4 million tons of CO2, equivalent to 35-45 million trees.

The project also paves the way for future applications such as cups, plates and containers, leading to a market of 190 million tons of plastic packaging annually.

Biodegradable packaging materials break down naturally, reducing the accumulation of microplastics and benefiting public health.

In addition, sustainable fiber packaging also simplifies waste collection, reduces recycling costs and supports Denmark's circular economy action plan by increasing recycling rates and reducing resource consumption.

The project is a collaboration between DTU (DTU-Construct and DTU-Chemistry), CAMPEN, Arla Food, BOFA as well as the Swedish company Organoclick and the Spanish company Feltwood.

Contact:

Giuliano Bissacco, Associate Professor, DTU Construct

Tel. +45 45254895 email: gibi@dtu.dk

Line Skouboe, communications advisor, Innovation Fund Denmark

Tel. 61 90 50 39, Email: line.skouboe@innofond.dk

Facts:

Innovation Fund Denmark's investment: 14.4 million DKK

Total budget: 19.8 million DKK

Duration: 3.5 years

Official title: HiProBio - High-speed production of biodegradable capsules in natural fiber materials